20 Jul 2021

Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Mr Tumiso Rakgare has reaffirmed government’s commitment to improving the welfare of national team athletes who will be competing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

In a statement he delivered in Parliament recently, Minister Rakgare said a team of 14 athletes and 11 officials left Botswana on July 3 to represent the country at the Olympic Games from July 23 to August 8.

“As the clock ticks closer to the commencement of the Tokyo games billed for July 23, government has been the main sponsor for Team Botswana through the preparations for the Olympic and Paralympic Games over the past five years,” he said.

He said government had been offering incentives and rewards to national team athletes as provided for in the 2012 incentive package.

He said the ministry already spent P33.3 million on the Olympics team in the past three years through funding athletes’ preparations including training and qualifications for the Games, accommodation, flight tickets, welfare and other administrative costs associated with getting the team ready for Tokyo.

He noted that an additional P7.5 million would be spent on the team between now and the end of the Games on August 8.

“As athletes did not have regular opportunities to compete and earn income, a monthly allowance of P8 333 was paid to athletes upon their qualification for the Games and each athlete received P25 000 as a qualification fee for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games,” he said.

He further said the team’s camping allowances were also adjusted upwards for the first time since 2012, from P480 to P720 per day while in Tokyo.

He remained and said he hoped  the athletes would “be able to focus on competition with their welfare well guaranteed’.

In recognition of athletes as national assets, Minister Rakgare said government had decided to vaccinate them to protect them against COVID-19 before they departed for the Games.

He also indicated that postponement of the Olympic Games from 2020 to 2021 which resulted in extended periods of camp for athletes also increased costs in team preparation camps.

Moreover, he said, the introduction of COVID-19 health regulations similarly caused disruptions in preparations, thus making the past 12 months taxing emotionally, psychologically and economically.

He noted the pandemic, had brought challenges of safety as the team had to be kept safe from infection, resulting in increased costs.

“The team camp protocols had to change to accommodate social distancing and hygiene, and regular testing became mandatory. This resulted in government having to avail additional resources,” he said.

Fruthermore, cancellation of some sporting activities in the wake of COVID-19, deprived athletes of the opportunity to earn some income either through appearance fees or prize monies.

Minister Rakgare therefore pleaded with legislators to continue supporting the budget proposals to enable the ministry to take sport to the next level.

The 11 athletes who will be representing Botswana at the Games comprise Nijel Amos (800m), Leungo Scotch and Isaac Makwala (400m), Anthony Pasela, Baboloki Thebe, Zibane Ngozi, Bayapo Ndori (4x400m relay team), Amantle Montsho, Christine Botlogetswe and Galefele Moroko (400m women), Keamogetse Kenosi (boxing), Rajab Mohammed (boxing), James Freeman (swimming) and Magdeline Moyengwa (weight lifting).

The Paralympics team consists of three athletes in Bose Mokgwathi, Edwin Masuge and Gloria Majaga. ENDS